Any word on when the Card color or style is going to change? I know many of you like the Blue (I see that the inside front is a little different on the new Padme), but I never really have. I would love to see a card like the Toy Fair Vader, or something similar. I miss the green. I just hope we don't get red ever agian! Any thoughts?

Beast

12-15-2002, 11:53 PM

Probably 2005, for the EIII stuff. I think Hasbro likes the new cards, and the little poll they had for them not to long ago suggested that many collectors do as well. I don't think they should use cards like the TF Vader one though.

Black may be nice as an exclusive, but I don't think it would do that well with the whole line packaged like that. The E1 line was black and red, after all. Looked awful. Better for a few pieces to be specially packaged, leave the blue for now. :)

MTFBWY and HH!!

Jar Jar Binks

Turbowars

12-16-2002, 12:06 AM

2005? No way! It has to change somewhere before then. I'm sick of it. I'd even just like a small change, like a different shade of blue, the logo inlarged, or the bubble put back on the right side with a nice photo of the charactor. I like change.

Beast

12-16-2002, 12:09 AM

Sorry, probably not going to happen. Especially not so soon. We already know that 2003 will have the same basic cards with a little design change. Plus don't expect the bubble to ever be put back on the right side. With the new design they can fit larger figures and more accessories into the cards. Especially with the addition of stands for many of 2003's figures. :)

MTFBWY and HH!!

Jar Jar Binks

Jayspawn

12-16-2002, 12:11 AM

I really like the blue packaging. I hope it stays that way for a while! It shows the figures very well. And its a great card design.

Turbowars

12-16-2002, 12:12 AM

Well, anything can happen, we are talking about Hasbro you know. LOL;) As for it being a good design, I think not. IMO, I think the package has lost the whole SW feeling. The POTF2 through POTJ at least had a OT feeling. The huge bubble displaces the theme. The OT wasn't about bright colors and gimmicks, it was about the film.

Banthaholic

12-16-2002, 12:59 AM

I can't complain about the current cards. They are a fairly good design, although I wish they could have fronts like the vintage days, where a nice movie shot of the figure took up the front of the card.

I'd also rather have all of the figures of the current line on the back. As a kid I used to stare at the vintage backs, and was nice for showing people which figures I wanted. When E2 came out and I got a poster of the first 40 Saga figures it was real nice. Just wish they could do something like that on the card back again.

I agree for the continued need of a larger bubble. This was obvious ater getting Ephant Mon yesterday, and also seeing how the '03 figures will continue to be well accessorized and some include stands.

Chiesa

12-16-2002, 02:43 AM

I think the cards look great at the moment. The blue does really give a good effect to the figures. Also I think it really gives a cool relaxing looking effect when placed along the walls. Black would do well for the Vader and R2D2 naming a couple as examples as exclusives and I do not think that it would do well as if a whole line were to be black.

Jargo

12-16-2002, 09:44 AM

It's more about commercial competitiveness than whether it pleases people. having the larger bubble means more can be packed in to compete with other figures which have a ton of stuff in the packages. The packaging is more modernistic because the line is made by a toy company that primarily makes toys for kids who like bright packaging and really wouldn't have a point of reference with anything relating to the OT. Bigger blisters mean parents subconsciously think they're getting more for their money since the product is spaced out a bit more in the big blister. The bigger blister allows for that to happen so you can see what you're getting better than if it was squished up in a smaller blister. Not printing the pictures on the front means less printing plates have to be created which saves money. One plate does all the card fronts and they only have to do new plates for the inserts and cardbacks. With the amount of product hasbro makes that one saving on printing makes a difference and probably allows for the money saved to be utilised elsewhere like adding more accessories into packs etc.

I like the packaging because it looks fresh. It's calm and neutral. The swirly thing for 2002 was bad but the 2003 starburst is much better. Think i said that somewhere already. I have to say I think the blue is perhaps a little too fresh and too light but that's my taste. For kids I think it's perfect. In my local TRU you can spot the star wars stuff from across the store amongst all the other stuff that just blends into one big mishmash of fuzzy color. It's like a big blue beacon beckoning, saying "come spend your pocket money here little one, come closer, don't be frightened..." :happy:

While I like that fact that current packaging allows for bigger figures, more accesories, etc... (Ephant Mon would have had to have been a deluxe figure in the previous styles) I really don't care to much for the overall look of them. But hey, I guess it's what's inside that's important right?

I couldn't really count the Silver Anniversary as there were only 2 figures on that card. Though I DO like the look of them.

jjreason

12-16-2002, 02:25 PM

I like the blue, probably best of all the package variations we've had from 95 on. The die cut Vader's head shapes were neat, however - better than the square cards. We in Canada got square cards in 95 whereas I think everyone else got the die cut packages. The switch was made when the second wave finally arrived up here. Blue is my favorite colour, which explains my preference, and Im happy with the big bubbles as long as they keep packing them with stuff.

BY the way, I spend very little time with the packages as Im an opener. IF they had "no packages" variation that came in little Hasbro bags at a discounted price that would suit me best of all.

Turbowars

12-16-2002, 03:03 PM

I realize all the sales BS, bright colors attract kids. Well you know what? I'm not a kid. I would like a little feeling of the OT. Is that such a big deal? You what, don't answer that. I'm just saying I would like a change. Thats all.;) No big deal.

Old Fossil

12-17-2002, 10:57 AM

I liked the way they pictured all the figures on the back of the POTJ cards. Wish they would do it with the Saga cardbacks, too, as Banthaholic suggested. (I'm primarily an opener but I do keep the odd carded figure from time to time.)